Leadership Transition at the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation
As Heraclitus stated, “the only constant is change.” It is with mixed emotions that I announce Philip Li’s retirement. He will step down from his role as president of the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation in May 2027. Phil’s leadership has been prolific. And while I am excited for him to take this next step on his journey, it is challenging to bid farewell to a leader of his character and impact.
Over the course of Phil’s leadership, the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation has experienced a profound organizational transformation. In the past decade, the foundation has evolved not only its mission and vision, but also its board and staff compositions. We have recommitted to our mission, and we have added the clarity of a clear vision and explicit values. RSCF utilizes this living framework based in its values of equity, trust and innovation to design programs, shape internal culture, and guide grant making. During the past decade, the Foundation’s staff has grown a stronger internal infrastructure with expanded leadership roles, program support, and operations capacity. Simultaneously, the RSCF Board intentionally evolved in diversity across gender, race/color, and sexual orientation, reflecting the Foundation’s values and strengthening governance through lived experience and broader community perspectives.
Through Phil’s leadership, RSCF has deepened its commitment to supporting leadership, promoting equity and defining and expanding trust-based philanthropy. Through practices like discretionary shared giving and sustained collaboration with grantee partners, RSCF has emerged as a more relational, adaptive, and values-led institution—positioned to continue this work for the next ten years and beyond.
It continues to be a great honor to Chair this board and work alongside Phil. I am grateful for his friendship and his leadership. It is an unsurprising testimony to Phil’s leadership that he chose this natural moment in the evolution of the foundation for his leadership transition. To leverage Phil’s commitment to assuring the operational strength of the foundation and to assure a thoughtful and well-timed search and succession plan, the Board has already both formed a search committee and engaged the firm DRG to partner with us as executive search consultants. Please see the position description here and direct all inquiries to Jess Black at DRG (jblack@drgconsulting.com).
Please stay posted as we will reach out to our many partners closer to the spring to officially celebrate Phil’s tenure and leadership.